Nestof3 Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We are thinking of visiting for a week and renting a cabin in May. What should we not miss? We enjoy hiking, nature things, museums, etc. We're not really looking for water sports. Thanks so much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We enjoyed Cades Cove, where they filmed Christy (or, where she was from, or some sort of Christy connection...LOL). We rented a cabin on the edge of a field of horses about 8 years ago. It had a wonderful, big, round jacuzzi in the master bath! :D Decorated very nicely (country), had a porch and a view of the mountains. It was right outside Cades Cove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penny from Tenny Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 (edited) We enjoyed Cades Cove, where they filmed Christy (or, where she was from, or some sort of Christy connection...LOL). :iagree: Cades Cove was one of the first settlements outside of Townsend - and yes, they filmed part of Christy there. Skip the touristy stuff and go straight for Cades Cove and take a picnic lunch. You can spend a whole day (or more) in Cades Cove alone. You can even rent bikes and bike the loop. Or take a hike up Laurel Falls, walk up Clingman's Dome, and definitely stop by the Ranger Station just outside of Gatlinburg. And if you don't mind waiting in line, go to the Apple Barn in Sevierville for breakfast (or lunch, or dinner)! It's not that far and it's a treat! Edited April 18, 2011 by Penny from Tenny apple barn - yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbeygirlsouth Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We used to spend time in the Smokies every couple of years. I do miss it. Cades Cove and area is lovely, and we visited the Biltmore in Asheville, which the children loved. Wishing you a wonderful vacation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenda in FL Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 I was coming in to mention Cades Cove as well! There's also the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Rafting on the Nantahala. (At one time you could combine a train trip with rafting). I'm not sure how far it is - but we took a side trip to Fontana Dam. Asheville and the Biltmore Estate is another nice day trip. I used to always think the gem-stone mining would be pretty hokie - but the kids really like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 As another poster said: Clingman's Dome, Cherokee of course since it's just a few miles from the Dome. Biltmore is nice and usually they have a homeschool ticket price, but don't know if you need to be NC residents. I would hope anyone could use their card. Gatlinburg is great if you're up to shopping til you drop, otherwise skip it. The Eastern Continental Divide runs through Lake Lure area I think. They filmed Dirty Dancing somewhere in the mountains. Bryson City is cute and The Fugitive with Harrison Ford was filmed there years ago. Not far from Bryson tucked way back is a wonderful water tubing place. The river's water is not deep and it's not dangerous. Parents were letting their kids ride their own tube. There are many more things. If you'd like to pm I could make more suggestions based on preference, etc. We've lived in Charlotte for 20 years and love it. We go to the mountains every chance we get and rent a little cabin the Smokey's whenever we get the chance. You will want to go gem mining for sure. There is a must go-to spot if you're in the Dillsboro area. PM me for more info. We always have a blast. Nakia and Rachel (forgot R's username) live in the mtns. HTH! HAVE FUN!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 Are you going anywhere near the Biltmore? I would go on vacation just to see the Biltmore at Christmas preferably but anytime would be great. We have also made a vacation of traveling the Nachez Trace just to visit the plantations. You could also visit Lookout Mountain, Mammoth Caves, the Chattanooga Aquarium or Dollywood depending on exactly where you will be. This are all towards the southern end since it is closer to where we live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barb_ Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 We are thinking of visiting for a week and renting a cabin in May. What should we not miss? We enjoy hiking, nature things, museums, etc. We're not really looking for water sports. Thanks so much! Too bad! We'll just miss you. We'll be there the first two weeks in June. My grandpa lives near Spruce Pine/Bakersville and we're going to rent a place nearby for a couple of weeks and visit him. We're going to do Linville Caverns, but other than that, we'll probably just let the kid play in the woods and creeks :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaffodilDreams Posted April 18, 2011 Share Posted April 18, 2011 If you guys are decent hikers, you should try hiking the Chimneys. You'll be on top of the world if you make it all the way. The view is gorgeous! If your young ones require easier hikes, then try Laurel Falls. You can wade and play in the water when you reach the top. I miss the Smokies!!!! P.S. Cades Cove is one of my most favorite places in the world. I wish I could live there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 You should definitely visit me! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Love that area!!! Cades Cove, walking the streets of Gatlinburg, the alpine slides at Ober Gatlinburg, hiking trails, the Chimney Tops picnic area....all great places! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 And if you don't mind waiting in line, go to the Apple Barn in Sevierville for breakfast (or lunch, or dinner)! It's not that far and it's a treat! Yes, the Apple Barn is great! Also, dinner at the Old Mill Restaurant....their fritters are delicious! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2denj Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Cades Cove and The Apple Barn!!! Everything is beautiful up there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 You should definitely visit me! :D Okay -- would completely love to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Ladies, this is wonderful. I'm passing all this info along to my husband who has been sort of planning our trip. He definitely wants to visit the B. Estates. Looks like Cades Cove is a must, and I had heard good things about gem mining. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 Okay -- would completely love to! Let me know when you are coming, and we can plan something. We will be in Wilmington mid-May, so try and come the first or last of the month. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3lilreds in NC Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 You should definitely visit me! :D Me too! If you come to hiddenite for gem mining, we could come hang out wit you. We like that too and it's not far from me at all! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Me too! If you come to hiddenite for gem mining, we could come hang out wit you. We like that too and it's not far from me at all! :D Great! We are planning to do the gem-mining. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 Let me know when you are coming, and we can plan something. We will be in Wilmington mid-May, so try and come the first or last of the month. :lol: We plan to leave on May 6 and come back home on 14th. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We plan to leave on May 6 and come back home on 14th. :D :hurray::hurray::hurray: We leave May 14th! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Margaret in GA Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We went this past fall and in addition to Cades Cove being a big hit, this was number 2: http://www.raftinginthesmokies.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paula in MS Posted April 19, 2011 Share Posted April 19, 2011 We are headed that way on the 15th. I will second Cades Cove and the Old Mill Restaurant. Ripley's Aquarium is really nice; we have been numerous times. Wonderworks is also fun and touristy, depending on what your children like. I also second the Chimney's picnic area. It is very scenic and a great place to cool off. (Maybe not in May, though.) I have lots of suggestions for hikes as well if you are interested. Just let me know what area you are in and how much time you have. Paula Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 19, 2011 Author Share Posted April 19, 2011 :hurray::hurray::hurray: We leave May 14th! :D We booked a cabin in Pigeon Forge for May 6-13. Let's make plans when it gets closer to the date, based on weather and such. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted April 20, 2011 Share Posted April 20, 2011 We booked a cabin in Pigeon Forge for May 6-13. Let's make plans when it gets closer to the date, based on weather and such. :D Sounds great! Just shoot me a pm in a week or two, and we will plan it! I'm so excited to meet another WTM momma! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 20, 2011 Author Share Posted April 20, 2011 Could someone please elaborate on the gem-mining? What size bucket would be ideal for four of us? What exactly do you do? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nestof3 Posted April 21, 2011 Author Share Posted April 21, 2011 Btt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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